Capristo Ferrari 575 X-pipes on 2040-parts.com

CAFE standard set at 54.5 mpg by 2025

The final version of the new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard was released today and, as expected, automakers will need to attain a fleet average of 54.5 mpg by 2025. The rules include electric and hybrid vehicles and—as of today—natural gas vehicles. The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed the rules in November, after reaching an agreement with automakers last July.

OnStar 'ignition block' disables stolen vehicles

OnStar, General Motors' in-vehicle safety and communications system, has launched a service to keep car thieves from starting a vehicle that has been reported stolen. As of July 20, three stolen cars had been disabled by the technology, called "remote ignition block." The feature is available on select 2009 and 2010 GM models. Subscribers must report their vehicles stolen to police officials and request assistance from OnStar, which then sends a signal that prevents the car from restarting.

Lincoln MKC Revealed. It’s NOT a titivated Ford Kuga/Escape, say Ford

The production version of the Lincoln MKC Compact SUV (pictured) has been revealed When Ford divested itself of its premier marques – Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover – it left it with little wriggle room to compete in anything but the mainstream car market. Ford in Europe is trying to address that by launching ‘Vignale’ badged cars which promise to offer more ‘Premium quality’ than its mainstream models, and Ford in the US is doing the same thing by trying to reinvent the Lincoln badge as the answer to German premium models. Step forward the new Lincoln MKC, the production version of the Lincoln MKC Concept we saw at the Detroit Auto Show in January..